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A Word: Colorism, Cluelessness, and Carefree Black Girls Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

Zeba Blay popularized the hashtag #carefreeblackgirls, a celebration of positive online representation of Black women and girls. In her book Carefree Black Girls, she reckons with why––even in a pop culture led by people of color––so many critics are white men. Blay joins the show this week to discuss The Harder They Fall, Passing, Dave Chappelle, and where today’s artists are, and aren’t, hitting the mark on race.

Guest: Zeba Blay, culture and film critic and author of the book Carefree Black Girls

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel and Jasmine Ellis

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Outward: Who Owns Queer Aesthetics? Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

Christina and Bryan welcome guest host Carolyn Bergier, co-host of the podcast Dyking Out. The crew explore the ups and downs of the Amazon lesbian reality TV show Tampa Baes. They then talk about Billy Porter’s fashion beef with Harry Styles, what queer fashion and signifiers actually mean, and whether they matter anymore. And finally, queer burlesque, queer DJ sets, and butch dykes for our Gay Agenda.

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The Waves: Taylor Swift and Adele Take Different Approaches to Aging and Pop Stardom Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s episode of The Waves, managing producer of Slate Podcasts Asha Saluja and senior editor Shannon Palus dive into new releases from superstars Adele and Taylor Swift. In the first half, they talk about how Taylor Swift shaped their views of romance and being 22, and whether her move to take back her song catalogue is actually feminist. Then, Asha and Shannon explore the conversation around Adele’s weight loss and the patriarchal expectations put on female pop stars.

In our Slate Plus segment, Asha and Shannon talk about whether it’s feminist when female pop stars don’t dance in their music videos.

Recommendations:

Asha: Jao Refresher hand sanitizer and singing in the shower.

Shannon: Getting a latte and going for a walk with said latte.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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ICYMI: The Yassification of the Internet Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

You might have seen a bot on Twitter tweeting out facetuned versions of anybody you could think of, like Robert Pattinson or Mrs. Doubtfire, and wondered where they’re all coming from. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison explain this weird trend, known as yassification, and why it might already be over. Plus, the the return of High Speed Downloads on Shailene Woodley defending her boyfriend Aaron Rodgers, and a neverending feud between Vin Diesel and the Rock.

If you’d like to see some yassified photos, head to @ICYMI_pod on Twitter.

Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.

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Culture Gabfest: Sexiest Man Alive Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined bywriter extraordinaire Karen Han. First, the panel discusses Rebecca Hall’s adaptation of Nella Larsen’s novel, Passing. Next, the panel dives intoThe Shrink Next Door. Finally, the panel talks about People’s 2021 Sexiest Man Alive, Paul Rudd.

In Slate Plus, the panel answers a classic time travel question.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Rebecca Hall’s amazing performance in the 2016 filmChristine, about news reporter Christine Chubbuck.

Karen: Swedish artist Agnes’s new album Magic Still Exists. Specifically her song “Here Comes the Night.”

Steve: First, the entire discography of Devonté Hynes aka Blood Orange—more recently, his work on the soundtrack for Passing. Second, Nick Lowe and Daryl Hall doing a marvelous acoustic version of Lowe’s hit from the ‘70s “Cruel to Be Kind.”

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is “Edge of Life” by OTE.

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Decoder Ring: The Alberta Rat War Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Rats live wherever people live, with one exception: the Canadian province of Alberta. A rat sighting in Alberta is a major local event that mobilizes the local government to identify and eliminate any hint of infestation. Rat sightings makes the local news. Alberta prides itself on being the sole rat-free territory in the world, but in order to achieve this feat, it had to go to war with the rat. On this episode of Decoder Ring we recount the story of how Alberta won this war, through accidents of history and geography, advances in poison technology, interventionist government policy, mass education programs, rat patrols, killing zones and more. The explanation tells us a lot about rats and a lot about humans, two species that are more alike than we like to think.

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Slate Money Succession: “Belligerent Zucchini” Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

Slate Money is obsessed with Succession, HBO's wonderful drama about the lives of the superrich Roy family. So, every Monday, we'll be discussing the previous night's episode with spoiler-filled glee. For Episode 5, Felix Salmon and Emily Peck are joined by Edmund Lee, longtime media industry reporter for The New York Times to talk about the real-life influences behind Sandy and Sandy, the big board meeting, and invisible cats.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Working: Documentary Filmmaker Stanley Nelson on Structure, Editing, and Sound Nov 14, 2021

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to documentary filmmaker Stanley Nelson, whose latest film, ATTICA, covers the 1971 uprising at the Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York. In the interview, Stanley explains how he decides which stories to tell and how he earns the trust of his subjects. He also discusses the finer points of structure, editing, and his use of sound effects and music.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Karen Han talk about the challenges of creating a structure for nonfiction projects and the difficult task of cutting interviews down.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Stanley looks back at the time he worked with legendary documentary filmmaker William Greaves. Then Isaac asks him if he ever gets nostalgic for the pre-digital era of filmmaking.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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ICYMI: Taylor Swift Knows the Internet All Too Well Nov 13, 2021

Show notes

Taylor Swift just released her version of the 2012 album Red, but if you’d asked her fandom what was coming the answers would’ve included all sorts of red-string conspiracy theories. On today’s episode, resident Swiftie Madison takes Rachelle down Taylor’s rabbit hole, explaining her origins as a MySpace teen, the easter eggs she has and hasn’t hidden, and how her savvy engagement with fans demonstrates just how much she’s mastered the online medium.

Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.

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Spoiler Specials: Eternals Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

On the Spoiler Specials podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Slate senior editor Sam Adams and Slate editorial assistant Nadira Goffe to spoil the newest Marvel film, Eternals.

The Eternals, a group of immortal beings with superpowers, reunite following an unexpected tragedy to fight the evil Deviants.

Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.

To listen to Spoiler Specials and other Slate podcasts with zero ads, read unlimited articles on Slate.com, and support Slate's journalism, sign up for Slate Plus now.

Email us at spoilers@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cleo Levin.

Hosts

Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic. You can read her review here.

Sam Adams is a Slate senior editor.

Nadira Goffe is Slate’s editorial assistant.

Sam and Nadira both contributed to “The Casual Marvel Fan’s Guide to Eternals”

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